Does catch crop affect soil fertility?

Many people wonder why it is worth sowing a catch crop in the garden. Contrary to appearances, it makes a lot of sense and primarily impacts soil fertility. In the second half of summer, when vegetables and some flowers gradually disappear from the garden, one can begin preparing the soil for the next year. Covering the ground with a green manure crop at that time is very beneficial. A catch crop allows for maintaining valuable soil.

Why is it worth sowing catch crops?

The purpose of sowing catch crops is primarily to enrich the soil and prevent the emergence of weeds. Catch crops include fast-growing species that produce a large amount of green biomass in just a few weeks. The most recommended plants are those with long roots, as they penetrate deep into the soil and aerate it. Plants that fix nitrogen from the air are also popular. This occurs through symbiosis with soil bacteria, such as phacelia. Catch crops are sown to ensure that troublesome and worthless weeds do not appear in the empty spaces left after strawberry or vegetable crops, or annual plants.

How to handle catch crops?

Catch crops should be sown in the second half of summer on empty and loosened soil, in a thin layer, and then watered. Next, one should wait for growth. Within 4-6 weeks, the catch crop will cover the entire surface of the soil and prevent the growth of weeds.

If you want to sow something winter-friendly or plant shrubs or trees in the autumn, you should till the catch crop into the soil. There is no need to pull it out and throw it on the compost, as the catch crop is meant to give the soil the proper structure, so it is best to mix it with the soil. However, if you intend to sow in the spring, you can wait for the frost to arrive—then it will be easier to till the soil.

A new garden and catch crops

If you want to sow catch crops in a new garden after building a house or buying a house with a neglected garden, you need to take care of the soil. Catch crops planted in such a place will be the best way to prepare the soil for sowing. It is worth mentioning that they can remain in the soil from spring to winter. In the case of soil damaged by construction, it is advisable to improve it. For new gardens with an unknown substrate, mustard or phacelia is recommended. If the catch crop does not thrive well in certain areas, it will indicate the condition of the soil—adding humus and regulating water relations will then be necessary. Covering the soil with a single catch crop and obtaining information about its condition and any underlying problems is very straightforward.

Benefits of sowing catch crops

If you have a new garden, it is worth starting by sowing catch crops before beginning to create your dream garden. This way, the soil will be better prepared. If you notice that a certain part of the garden does not look good and nothing wants to grow properly there, it is worth removing the mulch, loosening the soil, and sowing a catch crop. It is very possible that the soil will improve and the plants will be able to thrive.

If you do not have much time or energy to tend to annual flowers and vegetables, pick fruits, or mow the lawn, it is worth sowing a catch crop. Many people opt for such a garden because it is not only eco-friendly but also practically maintenance-free. You can choose from a variety of plant species—phacelia, lupin, buckwheat, clover, mustard, or marigold. The blooming of these plants will attract beneficial insects to the garden. If you want to have a low-maintenance garden, it is advisable to sow a meadow with many different catch crops.